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9/11 victims divided over war

Never forgive. Never forget. That is the best way retired firefighter Bernie Heeran believes he can pay tribute to his son Charlie, a 24-year-old bond trader who died in the World Trade Center, writes Sarah Baxter.

The young man’s twin brother William has just left Wall Street and taken a five-figure pay cut to be a fireman like his father. Somebody who, one day, may have to help victims of future terrorist attacks.

Heeran is angry with critics of President George W Bush. “The president isn’t looking for trouble,” he said. “He is only doing what had to be done. We were attacked. It was an act of war. These people have to be eliminated.”

It bothers him that the attacks might have been prevented, but he believes that two years of the “war on terror” have left him and his country more secure.